Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced that it would fine broadcast stations a sum of N500,000 for any perceived hate speech expressed by callers during phone-in programs.

The new rule, which will take effect on October 1, 2017, was communicated to media houses on August 10, 2017, during a meeting held at the commission’s zonal office at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The commission also limited newspaper reviews to once a day, urging viewers and listeners to contribute such reviews on social media rather than on television and radio programs. The commission also mandated that broadcast stations use screeners to censor calls before they go live on programs. And also that programs can only have five call-in shows per day.

The commission also stated that henceforth, the cost of phone calls must be borne by the station and not individuals calling in. Speaking on the discussionof judicial cases, Mr. Matthew Okoduwa, the zonal director, said media houses cannot hold a discussion about ongoing court cases, stating that filed suits can only be discussed at the early stage and at the final stage after judgement has been given.

Some media houses have raised concerns over this new set of rules issued by the NBC. One concern is that the new rules compromise free speech, as it could deny Nigerians the opportunity to voice their opinions on important political and social issues.

Others have lamented that the new rules will impose new expenses on radio and television stations, as they will now have to bear the cost of phone calls and purchase screening machines.

“I believe that this will restrict the free speech of Nigerians,” an anonymous media practitioner said.

“Putting the cost of calls solely on the shoulder of stations will likely mean most stations will choose between giving Nigerians access to voicing their opinions and their expense sheet.


https://etimes.com.ng/national-broadcasting-commission-moves-censor-phone-programs/

Hahahahaha

We are in the military Era.

I don't want to believe dis is true.

If so, we are back in d military regime

Not a bad idea

Another undemocratic policy by the evil party called apc. A big threat to Freedom of Information Act 2011.

feelgoodInc:
Hahahahaha

We are in the military Era.

hausa/fulani Apc at work. Doing what they know best, all in a bid to silence the poor masses from airing their views, just to protect and please their dictator.Thank God we have radio biafra fm102.1 at our back. You can suppress us but God will always make a way for his people.

An unpopular govt Tring to hide the truth about its glaring failures as usual

SalamRushdie:
An unpopular govt Tring to hide the truth about its glaring failures as usual

Awwww... how does your perception of the government mean licence to broadcast profanities and hate speech?

maclatunji:


Awwww... how does your perception of the government mean licence to broadcast profanities and hate speech?

Till date y'all have deliberately refused to define hate speech in your context and what kinds of speech can be considered a hate speech on Nigerian Radio ...oh let me help you according to this useless govt hate speech is any speech made by a southerner against the so called failed govt

The same dictatorial 'dogs and baboons' who launched the hateful Radio Chanji now want to stop others from airing their opinions.

Their fight against freedom of speech is dead on arrival. Bloody jackals!

Radio Biafra will keep teaching you jackals good lessons. Come and regulate your skulls na!

There's no hiding place for the useless Buhari. Now he's back we're going to deal with him

SalamRushdie:


Till date y'all have deliberately refused to define hate speech in your context and what kinds of speech can be considered a hate speech on Nigerian Radio ...oh let me help you according to this useless govt hate speech is any speech made by a southerner against the so called failed govt

Just look at what you posted up there, is it logical even to you?

You can have an ineffective, inefficient or incompetent government. That would be criticism which may be proven or disproved but when you say 'useless' government, it is just blind hate.

You have said the government is useless then stop complaining already. If you keep complaining then it means you are lying and spiteful, plain hateful.

This is where hate speech starts from when you cannot objectively define and analyze issues but just have to comment with bile.

Na now my hat speech wan worst. They should come to my house and collect their N500,000 fine. Bunch of ediots!